Differentiation of rat embryonic stem cells into functional cardiomyocytes

Rats(Rattus norvegicus) have many advantages over mice in scientific studies,for example, they are more relevant to human in physiological and pharmacological responses.Therefore,rats are broadly used in experimental studies.The recent breakthrough in the generation of rat embryonic stem cells(rESCs) opens the door to application of gene targeting to create models for the study of human diseases.In addition,the in vitro differentiation of rESCs into derivatives of three germ lines will serve as a powerful tool and resource for the investigation of mammalian development,cell function, tissue repair,and drug discovery.However, the distinct culture condition and signal inhibitor-depended maintenance of rESCs stand as a considerable challenge for its in vitro differentiation.To address it,we investigated whether rESCs are capable of forming terminal differentiated cardiomyocytes. We found that the embryoid bodies(EBs)-based method used in mouse ESC(mESC) differentiation failed to work in the cultivation of rESCs.We then modified the differentiation protocol and successfully developed an in vitro differentiation system to differentiate rESCs into three embryonic germ layers.By using this method,the rESCs form spontaneous beating cardiomyocytes with the properties similar to those derived from fetal rat hearts and mESCs.This unique cellular system will provide a new approach to study the early development and cardiac function as well as to perform pharmacological test and cell therapy study(Grants:the State Major Research Program of China(2009ZX09503-024,2010CB945603) and CAS(XDA01030000).

Assessment of the Effect of Cardiomyocyte Transplantation on Left Ventricular Remodeling and Function in Post-Infarction Wister Rats by Using High-frequency Ultrasound

The effects of cardiomyocyte grafting on left ventricular （LV） remodeling and function in rats with chronic myocardial infarction were evaluated using high-frequency ultrasound. Chronic myocardial infarction was induced in 50 Wister rats by ligating the left anterior descending artery. They were randomized into two groups： a trial group that received neonatal rat cardiomyocyte trans- plantation （n=25） and a control group which were given intramyocardial injection of culture medium （n=25）. The left ventricular （LV） geometry and function were evaluated by high-frequency ultrasound before and 4 weeks after the cell transplantation. After the final evaluation, all rats were sacrificed for histological study. The results showed that 4 weeks after the cell transplantation, as compared with the control group, the LV end-systolic dimension, end-diastolic dimension, end-systolic volume and end-diastolic volume were significantly decreased and the LV anterior wall end-diastolic thickness, LV ejection fraction and fractional shortening were significantly increased in the trial group （P〈0.01）. Histological study showed that transplanted neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were found in all host hearts and identified by Brdu staining. It was suggested that transplantation of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes can reverse cardiac remodeling and improve heart function in chronic myocardial infarction rats. High-frequency ultrasound can be used as a reliable technique for the non-invasive evaluation of the effect of cardiomyocyte transplantation.

Detection of Circulating Autoantibodiestoβ_2-Adrenergic Receptors in Patients with Asthma

To investigate the roles of autoantibodies to β 2 adrenergic receptors in the pathogenesis of asthma, the positive chronotropic action of the β 2selective adrenergic agonist, clenbuterol, was investigated on cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, firstly. Then we detected the autoantibodies to β 2adrenergic receptors through the sera of patients with asthma could inhibit the positive chronotropic action of clenbuterol. The results showed that all the sera of the patients with asthma (16 cases) had the autoantibodies to β 2 adrenergic receptors; in contrast, none of the control subjects (20 cases) had the autoantibodies to β 2 adrenergic receptors, and that the inhibitory autoantibodies were IgG type. This study suggests that the autoantibodies to β 2 adrenergic receptors may play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma.

MicroRNA-34c-5p provokes isoprenaline-induced cardiac hypertrophy by modulating autophagy via targeting ATG4B

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy serves as a significant foundation for cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. Recently, growing evidence has revealed that microRNAs(miRNAs) play multiple roles in biological processes and participate in cardiovascular diseases. In the present research, we investigate the impact of miRNA-34 c-5 p on cardiac hypertrophy and the mechanism involved. The expression of miR-34 c-5 p was proved to be elevated in heart tissues from isoprenaline(ISO)-infused mice. ISO also promoted miR-34 c-5 p level in primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes(NRCMs). Transfection with miR-34 c-5 p mimic enhanced cell surface area and expression levels of foetal-type genes atrial natriuretic factor(Anf) and β-myosin heavy chain(β-Mhc) in NRCMs. In contrast, treatment with miR-34 c-5 p inhibitor attenuated ISO-induced hypertrophic responses. Enforced expression of miR-34 c-5 p by tail intravenous injection of its agomir led to cardiac dysfunction and hypertrophy in mice, whereas inhibiting miR-34 c-5 p by specific antagomir could protect the animals against ISO-triggered hypertrophic abnormalities. Mechanistically, miR-34 c-5 p suppressed autophagic flux in cardiomyocytes, which contributed to the development of hypertrophy. Furthermore, the autophagy-related gene 4 B(ATG4 B) was identified as a direct target of miR-34 c-5 p, and miR-34 c-5 p was certified to interact with 3’untranslated region of Atg4 b mRNA by dual-luciferase reporter assay. miR-34 c-5 p reduced the expression of ATG4 B, thereby resulting in decreased autophagy activity and induction of hypertrophy. Inhibition of miR-34 c-5 p abolished the detrimental effects of ISO by restoring ATG4 B and increasing autophagy. In conclusion, our findings illuminate that miR-34 c-5 p participates in ISO-induced cardiac hypertrophy, at least partly through suppressing ATG4 B and autophagy. It suggests that regulation of miR-34 c-5 p may offer a new way for handling hypertrophy-related cardiac dysfunction.